Page 36 of Lines Drawn
Stepping into the dining room, there’s an immediate chill as voices stutter to a stop. I take my place, hiding my frown when I notice Emilio isn’t sitting next to me. I’m not displeased that Cristian is now next to me, instead of across the table, but to have Marcus sitting where Emilio would normally be? I believe my Boy needs a reminder of who he belongs to, and I’m looking forward to it.
I quickly note that, as expected, Roman and Ignacio aren’t here, but neither are Leandro or Jude. Leandro is likely keeping Roman company, and Jude is probably assisting Doc with that whole situation. The rest of the Martellis—including Dr. Ranlen—are here though.
Interestingly enough, while Carter is here, he’s not sitting near his husband. I expected him to be with Cole, but it appearshe’s not going to hide. I wave the maids forward, before lightly touching Cristian’s hand in support.
Thank fuck it’s nothing difficult to eat, with Tennant and Cristian both being injured. Still, the tension is thick in the air. It doesn’t help that Emilio is choosing to sit between Hollis and Benjamin on the other side of the table. And Carter is blocked in by Marcus and Keegan, as those three have obviously gotten closer.
The first course is eaten in silence, before I clear my throat. We may as well start figuring out plans if nobody is going to volunteer shit. “Antonio found out that the Fire Chief is keeping someone locked up in his basement. Two officers went there while Antonio was searching the house, and he overheard some sort of interrogation. He’d like to go back tonight to stage a…rescue. This would only need to be a small team. Who wants to volunteer?”
Emilio finally meets my eyes, and I’m thrown off by the challenge in them—and the disgust. “I’ll go on behalf of the O’Connel Family.”
Several sets of silverware clatter as they’re set down—or dropped—but I don’t look around to see who is taken by surprise. This is quite the turn of events. I lean back and steeple my fingers as I examine my Boy.
Slowly, I ask, “Do you want to repeat that, Emilio?”
He thrusts his chin out and narrows those moss green eyes of his. “I don’t believe I stuttered. I’ll go on behalf of the O’Connel Family. After all, I’m the head of it. It’s time I take my place.”
“Emilio…” I shake my head as I trail off. Now isn’t the time, but I’ll make him pay for this, especially for doing it in front of Cristian.
Carter surprisingly speaks up. “I’ll go as a representative of the De Luca Family.”
Cristian hisses as he stares at his husband in disbelief. Carter doesn’t look at him though. No, he’s staring at me in challenge as well.Motherfucking assholes. My Sweetheart needs to get his husband under control.
There’s no movement around the table, but lines are clearly drawn. Benjamin leans toward Emilio, and fuck, Marcus and Keegan both appear to be on alert with Carter between them.
What. The. Fuck?!
I push my chair out and stand. I’m not sure what I’m going to say, but someone needs to stop this insanity.
“Allesandro!” I jerk as I turn my attention to…my uncle? What the fuck is he doing here? “I need to see you in the study.”
Gritting my teeth, I turn to face my…family? Are they…anymore? Shaking my head, I snap out, “Antonio, you pick your team. Get it done tonight.”
With that, I storm out to follow my uncle. I need to know what the fuck is going on. He’d better not be the one behind Emilio’s ridiculous idea. I slam the door behind me, glaring as my uncle sits down. Neither of us speak at first. Until finally, with a sigh, he addresses me.
“What is happening?” I stay silent and he leans forward, slamming his hand down on the arm of his chair. “C'è un ammutinamento!”
“There’s no mutiny,” I grit out. “Emilio is…confused. I’ll make him bend. I always do.”
Growling, he shakes his head. “No. Non rovinerai ulteriormente la situazione.”
I pace the room, vibrating with rage. “This situation is mine to resolve—and I’ll do it the same way I always have.”
“What did we talk about? Ruling by fear or loyalty? I thought you learned your lesson after Luca… You claim to love Emilio, but you want to force him? This is not you,” he says beseechingly.
I stop and fold my arms, glaring at him. “It has always been me.”
“No, Allesandro. This is your father. This is who you were before Emilio. I know better. I know you love him.” The crushing weight of my uncle’s disappointment bears down on me and I glance away. “I received the call about his position in the O’Connel Family. You made sure he was entitled to it. You would have only done that if you believed in him.”
“He was never supposed to take it.” I walk over to a chair and sit down, crushed under the realization that I may need to let Emilio go. “I… It was because I wasn’t sure I’d get him to marry me otherwise.”
“Now you’re lying to yourself. You did it so that he had a backup if anything happened to you and he wasn’t allowed to take over. Now, the question is…are you going to let him take his place?”
“According to you, I don’t have a fucking choice.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “He’s going to get himself killed.”
“I think you’ll find he won’t. But I have everything ready for him, including keys to the O’Connel Family mansion—that you had repaired.”
I close my eyes, trying to shut my uncle out. I know he has a point, but…fuck. “Fine. Let him walk. He’ll come crawling back. And when he does, I will make him pay.”
